Vision of the John M. Belk Impact Fellowship Program
- Impact Fellows will gain exposure to the inner workings of organizations playing a variety of critical roles across North Carolina’s education landscape.
- Presents Impact Fellows with a diverse cohort of peers interested in advancing educational equity for all North Carolinians.
- From THI’s signature Fireside Chat series to host-site events, fellows gain the chance to connect with thought leaders, alumni, and peers while building skills and networks that last well beyond the program.
Program Details
- Impact Fellows work 11-20 hours a week with their host site.
- Attend monthly virtual Fireside Chats.
- Bi-weekly check-ins with the Impact Fellowship coordinator and weekly check-ins with your host site supervisor.
- In-person orientation and networking opportunities.
- Impact Fellows will receive a tailored experience based on their interests and preferences. This can include research spanning the education continuum, communications and social media management, and preparing policy briefing documents, legislative reports, and other supporting materials.
2025-2026 Host Organizations
Eligibility to apply:
- Full-time community college, undergraduate, or graduate student at an accredited NC college or university interested in the fields of education, public policy, political science, data analytics, psychology, or related fields; applicants must be a student for the duration of the program
- Ability to commit to a minimum of 11 hours and a maximum of 20 hours per week from mid August 2026 – early May 2027
Application Requirements
- Resume
- Unofficial transcript
- Cover letter
- (1) letter of recommendation
- 2 short response questions (250 words each)
Timeline
- November 14, 2025: Applications open
- March 20, 2026 ( 5 p.m.): Application deadline
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis – early submission is encouraged.
- April 2026: Interviews
- Early May 2026: Acceptance Notification
- August 2026: Orientation & Start Date
How many Fellows will be accepted?
For each cohort, we expect to select 15-17 Impact Fellows.
How many hours will I be expected to complete each week at my host site placement?
Students should be able to commit at least 11 hours a week.
What exactly will I be doing? What will my time at my placement look like?
Impact Fellows work on a variety of projects, from policy briefs and research, to social media efforts and quantitative analysis. We match Impact Fellows based on the needs of the host organizations and the skills and interests of the prospective Fellow. No two experiences are alike.
Here are some of the anticipated responsibilities:
- Researching specific topics and policy issues to inform the development of materials and activities;
- Analyzing legislation, reports, and other documents and creating summaries and recommendations;
- Gathering and tracking qualitative and quantitative data
- Preparing briefing documents and other supporting materials for meetings and convenings
- Developing and/or maintaining the social media presence of partner organizations
- Providing support at on-site or virtual events as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Is this a paid internship?
Yes. Impact Fellows receive a competitive hourly pay.
Where will I be placed?
Placements are determined after reviewing the needs of our host organizations and the professional aspirations of prospective Fellows.
What is the relationship between The Hunt Institute and the John M. Belk Endowment?
The Hunt Institute is a grantee of the John M. Belk Endowment and serves as administrator for this Fellowship.
I have a question that is not addressed here, who can I contact?
For any questions related to the Impact Fellowship, please contact us at belkimpactfellows@hunt-institute.org.
